What I think a 5th gen SHOULD be
Hello everyone, I've decided to post some of my opinions on what I feel a 5th gen F-body should be like. Bear with me, I know some of it my be unrealistic but, it's a start.

First off a few guidelines...

1. Do NOT make it a retro 1st or 2nd gen. They were great cars but if I wanted a 1st or 2nd gen that bad I'd go buy one. We also don't want to play copycat with the mustang.

2. Make the car comfortable and user friendly. The ergonomics should be good too and the interior materials shouldn't be crap. Keep in mind we don't need lots of high tech gizmos or a car to cuddle us, but it should still be nice.

3. This should go without saying, but RWD and V-8's are a REQUIREMENT. Yes, let the bases use V-6's, but V-8 versions need to be available.

4. 4 speed autos and 6 speed manuals should be available, with your choice of ratios (like how you used to be able to order close or wide ratio) And several rear end ratios be available

Now here is what I think the lineup should be...

1. Base Camaro/ Rally Sport: Should be just like the other base cars with the options of a "Rally Sport" apperance/performance package. This package should include at least unique wheels, spoiler, and a unique front valance. The 5.3 Liter V-8 from the truck lineup should be an option on the Rally Sports, figure around 270 hp.

2. Super Sport: Yes this should be next, when the Camaro first got started the Z/28 was the top dog, it should be that way now. The SS should be around the same level horsepower wise as the Z/28, but be more of a boulevard cruiser than a all out race car like the old Z/28's should be. 12 bolt rear ends should be optional also. A 325 hp LS1 would work nicely

3. Z/28: This should be available with or without the RS apperance package. Should have maybe 20 hp or so more than the SS. The Z/28 should be able to be ordered as stripped down as the buyer wants, but most options should also be available, if wanted. a 12 bolt should be standard

4. ZL1: Yes that's right I said ZL1. The ZL1 should be available with at least a 450 horsepower LS6 engine. Think 2003 Cobra killer! Sure it'd be expensive but it could be our low volume answer to the blown Cobra.

Well that's a pretty wide open opinion there. Yea I know it'll pry be impossible to have all that but it's just some wishful thinking. Anyone have any opinions?


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Eric Powell

No Camaro yet, but I'm workin on it!

 

These are all good ideas but you are forgetting one thing: by the time the next camaro gets here(2007 at least) the LS1 and LS6 will have long since been replaced by the LS2 and LS7(?.) This is assuming that there even will be a new camaro. From the recent mood around here, I am beginning to lose faith.

 

As much as I doubt that will happen [OH HEAVENS! IT WOULD EQUAL THE VETTE!] We need to have something that puts out more than 390, cause GM has never been second to ford.

 

Welcome to the 5th gen & future cars community Eric.

The things you mentioned are pretty much what we all are hoping for, however....

Try & shy away from Z28 & SS positionings. That subject tends to get threads hijacked!



You DON'T want that. Trust me.... you really DON'T!

 

It think the cobras out of a new Camaros sites. Most people here think that job will be left to the Vette. That way, it will just be one more car in the Vettes shadow.

 

I guess I could start buying fords then. I dont care for 2-seaters too much, not to mention the price tag on something labeled a vette.

 

Well I'll try to respond to everything here in a single post.

As far as the LS1's and LS6's go, I guess we can cross that bridge when we come to it. But either way you still get the general idea.

I know the likelyhood of a factory ZL1 is slim to none, it's still nice to think about and I believe we should have it. With the new Z06 rumored to have 500 hp why not 450 for a ZL1? How about maybe a IRS option too?

Threads hijacked? I'm sorry but I don't quite understand what you mean (I'm still fairly new here)

What's wrong with having the Cobra in the Vette's AND the Camaros shadow? Hasn't the Mustang always been our main competition?

Well anyways I'll be checking in often guys

 

My point exactly. Whats with GM admitting defeat so much? What do we have now, the weakest 1/2 ton truck? GM is getting to 'political' . . . they need to break the rules and be proud of it like ford and dodge are doing.

Where's our "Yea, its got an LS7" sticker?

 

What he meant by hijacked is alot of people prefer the SS to be top Camaro and some people prefer to have the Z28 as the top Camaro. You DO NOT want to get into these dicussions. Just let everyone have their opinion.

Joelius: The Mustang has always been our main competition, but the Cobra has always been aimed at the Corvette. Oh it's fallen short everytime, even the Cobra R, save for the 03 Cobra, but even that falls short of the Z06.

 

I like your guidelines for the 5th Gen. But yeah, you'll wanna stay away from Z28 vs. SS outright because the Z28 has alot of people pulling for it over the SS and many arguements have resulted from this and exactly why the Z28 should be the top car or have it's own distinct advantages. Just do a search and you'll see LOL. I am guaranteed to be in every one, and so is Z284, DXed, Guion, Z28W, and.........I think I'll stop there. They'll all be a few pages and alot to read.

 

Hmmm..good point. Well I guess it really doesn't matter either way. I just prefer to leave things the way they were originally, when the Z/28 was basically a race car and the SS was more like a street car.

Either way, it doesn't matter THAT much. JUST GIVE ME MY F-BODY, GM!!!

 

Oh it does matter.

 

Well yes it does, but I think more so than being "top dog" it matters that the Z/28 sticks to what it used to be...a factory "race car"

The SS should stick to being more of a boulevard cruiser.

Also I think the double stripes should be standard on Z/28's and optional on SS, RS and base models. That's part of the Camaro's heritage.

I also think we need more wheel choices and more colors. 4th gens had a notable lack of colors. However this seems to be the case with alot of cars now. I'd like more "flashy" colors like the old medium metallic blue and yellow. Not like "ricer" flashy, but just definetly get your attention type flashy. I don't think Camaros should be all stealth and such. They need to stand out a little

 

You have a pretty good layout of how it should be be with the exception of the hp levels .

340 ish should be base and 400hp should be tops .

The next Cobra will have 500hp and realistically , I doubt GM will try to compete at the Cobra level with the Camaro . Ford has already stated its going after the M3 and vette with the Cobra , most likely the top level GTO( zeta ) is what GM will use to battle the cobra .

Welcome to the boards

 

Many of us want to se the Z28 become a purpose built limited content car again. I agree on the colors and stripes, they should all have distinctive stripes, even if only as options.